Spring action friction block structure



Sept. 27, 193,8. A. E. wEsTBURGH 2,131,414

SPRING' ACTION FRICTION BLOCK STRUCTURE A'Filed oct. 1o, 195e PatentedSept. 27, 1938 NITED ,STATES PATENTUFFICE l2,131,414 l srmNc ACTIONFRICTIGN.amelie-Sauve' v i TURE- v Y Arthur Westburgh; .IamestoWn,`N.jY-. Anliegen. october 10, 1934s..serai.No.a114- 4 Claims.(01,..*4545-2531)*t invernzionrelates to ,a Aspring action frictionblock structure for exible couplings, particularly of the general typehaving driving and driven coupling sections provided with lugs coupledby a friction block, and especially of the improved type disclosed inLetters Patent No. 2,007,513, issued to me on July 9, 1935, and it aimsto provide such a spring action friction block structure as will take upthe bacl lash between the four coupling jaws by uniform spring action.

It is further aimed to provide such a block in the nature of sectionshaving intervening expansive coil springs which urge them to andmaintain them in an operative position.

Another object is to provide a block of the present character from aplurality of block sections, preferably two triangular sections withspring means expanding them at their diagonal edges.

In addition I aim to provide such a block structure wherein the sectionshave removable friction shoes to contact the lugs of the coupling, thespring feature rendering it easier to remove and replace the shoes, andto provide a novel lubricating means in coaction with said shoes.

'Ihe more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from thedescription following taken in connection with accompanying drawingillustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawing:

Figure 1 is a view in perspective showing the improved spring frictionblock structure, partly broken away to disclose details;

Figure 2 is a detail perspective view of one of the shoes or frictionstrips alone;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken through a couplingemploying my invention;

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the plane of line A-Aof Figure 3, and

Figure 5 is a detail perspective view of a coupling employing myinvention, the parts being partially assembled.

Referring specifically to the drawing wherein like reference charactersdesignate like or corresponding parts, the improved friction block perse is shown in Figure 1. It employs a plurality of sections I Il,preferably two, which are right triangular and face at their hypotenusesor diagonal edges II. Recesses I2 are bored in said edges and removablyaccommodate expansive coil springs I3 which urge said edges II apart asshown in Figure 1.

The right angular edges of the sections I0 are equipped with removableshoes or friction strips I4. Said shoes or strips may be made from anydesiredrlfriction material, i such as ythat from which brake shoes aremade, especially their molded lining, and for instance from a phenoliccondensation product or bakelite having a textile liber base, such asthe specific material sold under the name of Micarta.

Said shoes or strips I4 are secured vto the sections, for example, byset screws I5, countersunk into the shoes, and engaging screw threads inrecesses I6 in the sections. Such sections I0 may to advantage beconstructed of metal.

In the right angular faces of the sections IIJ are reservoirs, cavitiesor recesses II which may contain graphite or other lubricant. Saidreservoirs are spanned by the shoes and are capable of being filled withthe lubricant when the shoes are removed. Such lubricant exudes orescapes from the reservoirs through ports or openings I8 providedthrough the shoes in communication therewith.

The friction coupling of my Patent' No. 2,007,- 513 is an example of oneform inwhich the improved spring action friction block structure may beemployed to advantage. Such a coupling is generally shown in Figures 3to 5 and it employs similar coupling sections A, one of which is adaptedto be rigidly fastened to a driving shaft and the other of which isadapted to be rigidly fastened to a driven shaft, as disclosed in saidpatent. Removable jaws A conform to the jaws of the patented structureas they provide two lugs B on each coupling section, the lugs of onesection being arranged at a right angle to the lugs of the othersection.

The spring action friction block is operatively posititoned between thecoupling sections A, enclosed by the lugs B with the inner planarsurfaces thereof frictionally contacting with the outer surfaces of theadjacent shoes I4, the degree of friction being augmented and controlledby the tension of the springs I3. Such planar .surfaces and engagedsurfaces of the shoes I4 will be efficiently lubricated by the lubricantexuding from the ports I8. It will be realized too that the lugs B ofeach coupling section engage parallel shoes of different blockv sectionsI0. Obviously any desired number of the springs I3 may be employed andit will be noted that their tension is exerted in four directions so asto uniformly take up the back lash between the coupling jaws or lugs inthe operation of the coupling.

Various changes may be resorted to provided they fall within the spiritand scope of the invention.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a friction block for contact with the surrounding jaws of thesections of a iiexible coupling, said block at its jaw-engaging edgeshaving removable shoes, said block comprising metallic sections providedwith diagonal faces, said faces having springs seated in said recesses.

2. In a friction block for contact with the surrounding jaws of thesections of a flexible coupling, edges of said block being dished inspaced relation to the margins to provide lubricant reservoirs, portedshoes of friction material directly engaging said edges and coveringsaid reservoirs, said shoes being in continuous engagement with theedges around the reservoirs with the ports forming outlets for thereservoirs.

3. In a friction block for'contact with the surrounding jaws of thesections of a flexible cou-4 recesses therein, and expansive coillexpansive spring means constantly urging each block section into contactwith angularly arranged jaws of each coupling section, said faces beingrecessed to seat said spring means.

4. In a friction block for contact with the surrounding jaws of thesections of a flexible coupling for two shafts, the block comprising twotriangular sections substantially similar in size facing each other attheir diagonal edges, and spring means'constantly expanding the blocksections away from said edges on a line perpendicular tc said edges andeach block section into contact with angularly arranged jaws, one oneach coupling section, edges of the block section being Y dished inspaced relation to the margins to provide lubricant reservoirs, andshoes of friction material having outlet ports for the reservoirsdirectly covering said reservoirs and engaging said edges continuouslyaround said reservoirs.

4ARTI-IUE. E. WESTBURGI-L

